Alaska
Not in Alaska? Find your state's guide.
Election Day: May 14, 2024
Welcome to the Alaska Voters Guide! This guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
City of Anchorage
Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.
Suzanne LaFrance came out first in the field in April’s regular election, getting more than 36% of the vote. She’s now headed to a runoff against incumbent mayor Dave Bronson, and LaFrance appears poised to win the May runoff by a historic margin. LaFrance is running on a platform of returning competence to city government, focusing on public safety, trails, education, addressing homelessness, and affordable housing. LaFrance comes with the experience of serving as chair to the Anchorage Assembly and plans to deliver expected city services by staffing up city departments and instilling a professional, positive workplace culture. She ran on fighting for state and federal resources for the municipality and running a transparent city government. LaFrance is already the top vote-getter, and is in the best position to absorb support from the other candidates eliminated in the regular election. We support Suzanne LaFrance for mayor.
Suzanne LaFrance came out first in the field in April’s regular election, getting more than 36% of the vote. She’s now headed to a runoff against incumbent mayor Dave Bronson, and LaFrance appears poised to win the May runoff by a historic margin. LaFrance is running on a platform of returning competence to city government, focusing on public safety, trails, education, addressing homelessness, and affordable housing. LaFrance comes with the experience of serving as chair to the Anchorage Assembly and plans to deliver expected city services by staffing up city departments and instilling a professional, positive workplace culture. She ran on fighting for state and federal resources for the municipality and running a transparent city government. LaFrance is already the top vote-getter, and is in the best position to absorb support from the other candidates eliminated in the regular election. We support Suzanne LaFrance for mayor.
Other Candidates
Anchorage residents sent Mayor Bronson a loud and clear message in the regular election, where he received historically low support. Bronson is now the first incumbent mayor in the Municipality’s history to be forced to a runoff. Bronson’s first term, defined by scandal and incompetence, clearly was noticed by Anchorage voters. Under his leadership, long-time municipal employees fled, leading to high vacancy rates across city departments, including the Anchorage Police Department. The inability to clear the streets for two straight winters under his leadership led to record school closures and parents having to stay home from work. Mayor Bronson failed to implement a plan to address homelessness, leading to record outdoor deaths and large camps throughout the city's green spaces. He also approved illegal contracts, and was accused of spying on employees and creating a sexualized work environment. We do not support the reelection of Mayor Dave Bronson.
Anchorage residents sent Mayor Bronson a loud and clear message in the regular election, where he received historically low support. Bronson is now the first incumbent mayor in the Municipality’s history to be forced to a runoff. Bronson’s first term, defined by scandal and incompetence, clearly was noticed by Anchorage voters. Under his leadership, long-time municipal employees fled, leading to high vacancy rates across city departments, including the Anchorage Police Department. The inability to clear the streets for two straight winters under his leadership led to record school closures and parents having to stay home from work. Mayor Bronson failed to implement a plan to address homelessness, leading to record outdoor deaths and large camps throughout the city's green spaces. He also approved illegal contracts, and was accused of spying on employees and creating a sexualized work environment. We do not support the reelection of Mayor Dave Bronson.
Chugach Electric Association
With a looming natural gas shortage, the Chugach Electric Association board elections are especially important, as the outcome will shape how the state's largest power cooperative will navigate the quest for alternative energy sources. The election, which is entirely online, started April 17 and will run through May 17. To cast your vote, visit directvote.net/Chugach. All 91,000 cooperative members can vote.
Two current members of the Chugach Electric Association board, Chair Sam Cason and board member Mark Wiggin, are being challenged by Todd Lindley and Dan Rogers. Lindley and Rogers are running coordinated campaigns, both opposing a move toward more renewable energy generation.
Mark Wiggin is an incumbent and current Chair of the Operations Committee for Chugach Electric Association. He raised his family in Anchorage, where he has developed deep ties to the community, serving on several local Boards over the years. He also served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and brings his industry experience to the work he now does as a Director. Mark has been endorsed by IBEW 1547, The Alaska Center, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).
Mark Wiggin is an incumbent and current Chair of the Operations Committee for Chugach Electric Association. He raised his family in Anchorage, where he has developed deep ties to the community, serving on several local Boards over the years. He also served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and brings his industry experience to the work he now does as a Director. Mark has been endorsed by IBEW 1547, The Alaska Center, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).
Incumbent and current Chair of the Board, Sam Cason is a self-employed attorney and community leaderfrom Homer, Alaska. As an Assistant Attorney General, Sam served as Public Advocate, where he examined utility operations in front of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. In that role, as well as his current role on the Board, Sam has prioritized affordability and reliability for the ratepayer, and sustainability for our future. Sam has been endorsed by IBEW 1547, The Alaska Center, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).
Incumbent and current Chair of the Board, Sam Cason is a self-employed attorney and community leaderfrom Homer, Alaska. As an Assistant Attorney General, Sam served as Public Advocate, where he examined utility operations in front of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. In that role, as well as his current role on the Board, Sam has prioritized affordability and reliability for the ratepayer, and sustainability for our future. Sam has been endorsed by IBEW 1547, The Alaska Center, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).
Other Candidates
There are two other candidates running in this race.
Candidate Todd Lindley has not served on the Board of Directors previously. He opposes a Renewable Portfolio Standard, Eklutna river restoration, and expresses skepticism around the ability of wind and solar to offset overall gas usage. Todd has also publicly shared that he supports coal, and does not see union labor as necessary at this time.
Candidate Dan Rogers is running together with candidate Todd Lindley, arguing against the Renewable Portfolio Standard and generally opposing legislative oversight of the utilities. Dan also supports the development of new coal plants in Alaska. He has not served on the Chugach Board previously.
There are two other candidates running in this race.
Candidate Todd Lindley has not served on the Board of Directors previously. He opposes a Renewable Portfolio Standard, Eklutna river restoration, and expresses skepticism around the ability of wind and solar to offset overall gas usage. Todd has also publicly shared that he supports coal, and does not see union labor as necessary at this time.
Candidate Dan Rogers is running together with candidate Todd Lindley, arguing against the Renewable Portfolio Standard and generally opposing legislative oversight of the utilities. Dan also supports the development of new coal plants in Alaska. He has not served on the Chugach Board previously.